Pegfilgrastim
Description
Pegfilgrastim is a man-made form of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analog. It stimulates the growth of white blood cells and helps in decreasing the chances of infection in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy procedures for cancer. Patients with blood disorders are advised not to use this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Pegfilgrastim
- Chills
- Cough
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Mouth ulcers
- Headache
- Bone pain
- Muscle pain
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Uses of Pegfilgrastim
What is it prescribed for?
- Neutropenia caused by chemotherapy
- Neutropenia caused by radiation
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe peak effect of this medicine can be observed within 16-120 hours after dosing.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to filgrastim, pegfilgrastim or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition
General warnings
Splenic Rupture
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of splenic rupture. Patients having abdominal and/or shoulder tip pain while receiving this medicine should consult the doctor immediately. Your doctor may advise you the appropriate corrective measure based on your clinical condition.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
This medicine has been shown to cause Acute respiratory distress syndrome in rare cases. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine. Report any symptoms of fever or respiratory distress to the doctor on priority. Replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Sickle cell crisis
This medicine not recommended for use in patients with a known history of sickle cell disease due to the increased risk of serious and life-threatening reactions. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss an appointment for a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Fluorouracil
Doxorubicin
Cisplatin
Cyclophosphamide
Topotecan
Bleomycin
Disease interactions
Glomerulonephritis
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with Renal dysfunction due to the increased risk of glomerulonephritis. Report to your doctor, if you experience any adverse effects such as swelling of ankles and face, blood in the urine, dark colored urine, or decreased urine output, etc., immediately. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Myeloid Tumors
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with Myeloid tumors due to the increased risk of tumor growth. Inform the doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Leukocytosis
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with Leukocytosis due to the increased risk of excessive white blood cell count. It is advised to interrupt the therapy with this medicine in cases of excessive white blood cell count. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative medicine may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
It is advised to administer this medicine under the supervision of a doctor or a trained healthcare professional. Your dose regimen and frequency of administration is likely to vary based on the condition being treated. Consult your doctor immediately if you develop any signs and symptoms of an infection.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by stimulating the production of white blood cells and thus helps to fight against infections.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Colony stimulating factors
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 25 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 25 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 25 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 25 September 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 22 Jan 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.